Computer System Case

Your PC’s system case is probably high on the list of components you think about the least.
However, in spite of the fact that the system case has only one or two components that are active,
namely the power supply and the front panel, the PC’s case plays a major role in the PC’s
operation.

In spite of the fact that the PC’s case just seems to sit there, it does perform a number of
very valuable functions.
 Provides the aesthetics of the system
 Provides the PC with its structure
 Provides protection and cooling for the electronics and other devices mounted
inside

PC cases comes in al sizes, shapes, colors and faces. These variations in size and shape are
driven by the case’s form factor. The form factor of the case is its shape, the way its components
fit together and most of all its size. Typically, the form factor of a PC includes its case, power
supply and motherboard, because these components must fit together to supply protection, power
and safety.

As we already know not all system cases are identical in size or shape, but most contain
components and parts common to all PC cases. Here is a list of the common major components
found in PC cases.

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Danilo S. Ibarrola Personal Computer Hardware Servicing
 Computer System Case

 Chassis the skeletal framework that provides the structure, rigidity and strength of
the case.
 Cover plays an important role in the cooling, protection and structure of the PC.
 Legacy desktop
 Legacy towers
 Single screw case cover
 Screw less case cover
 Release button case cover
 Front screw case cover
 Rear screw case cover
 Power supply a very important component, not only to the case assembly, but to
the PC and its other components.
 Front panel in addition to providing the PC with its looks and color, the front panel
also provides information on the PC’s status, allows the user to physically secure the
PC and on some case types, it is the starting point for removing the case cover.
 Power switch
 Reset switch
 Status LEDs
 Power LED typically green in color and illuminated when the PC’s
power is on.
 Hard drive LED when the drive is seeking, reading or writing data,
this red, orange or amber LED is lit and flashes.
 Turbo LED if present, this yellow LED indicates that the PC is in turbo
mode.
 Switches most newer systems now have their two main switches, the power switch
and the reset switch, on the front panel.
 Power button - in older PCs, the power switch was a part of the power supply
and located on the right rear corner of the PC.
- on baby AT and earlier systems, the power switch is located
on the front panel and wired directly to the power supply
- newer system such as ATX, NLX and LPX form factors have
an actual power switch on the front panel, but instead of being
wired to the power supply, the switch is now electronic and
connected to the motherboard. On these systems, you press
the switch to turn on the system and request the motherboard
to turn it off.
 Reset button performs a hardware reset when pressed. This provides the
user with a means of restarting the PC should it halt and not respond to
normal shutdown or restart command.
 Turbo button
 Keylock
 Keyboard lockout
 Front-panel door lock

PCHS Trainer Marikina Polytechnic College Lesson 7

Danilo S. Ibarrola Personal Computer Hardware Servicing
 Computer System Case

 Drive bays disk drives with removable media have been mounted in the system
case so that they can be accessed from the front panel. Typically, the drive bays are
used for 3.5-inch disk drives, CD ROMs, DVDs and removable hard drives.
 External drive bays these drive bays are actually internal to the case and
chassis, but they can be accessed externally.
 Internal drive bays these drive bays are completely inside the system case
and are not accessible from outside the chassis

Cover

Switches
Power Supply

Drive Bays

Chassis
Front Panel

System Case Styles

1. Desktop case – the flat, boxy one is the desktop case PC. It doubles as the base
for PC’s monitor.
2. Tower cases – the tall, thin case are the tower style. Below are the popular
variations of the tower case
 Full tower are the largest standard PC cases available. They offer the
most of any case style in the way of expandability, typically having three
to five external drive bays and a few internal drive bays as well.
 Midtower is a slightly shorter version of the full tower.
 Miditower exist somewhere between the midtower and the minitower. By
definition, a miditower is smaller than a midtower and larger than a
minitower.
 Minitower this is the most popular case today. It provides slightly more
expansion capacity than desktop cases.

PCHS Trainer Marikina Polytechnic College Lesson 7

Danilo S. Ibarrola Personal Computer Hardware Servicing
 Computer System Case

Desktop Case

Tower Cases

System Case Form Factors

The three most popular types of case form factors are:
1. Baby AT- though virtually obsolete by today’s standards, the Baby AT form factor is still
considered popular because of its very large installed base stemming from its popularity
in past years. The Baby AT is a smaller version of the AT form factor that is narrower in
width, but otherwise shares the AT form factor’s dimensions.
2. ATX – Intel developed this form factor in the mid-1990s and it has become the defacto
form factor for motherboards and system cases. All Pentium-based systems require
motherboards and chipsets that use the ATX form factor specification.
3. NLX – also called Slimline form factor, is quickly becoming the new standard for mass-
produced desktop system because it offers manufacturers more flexibility and room for
future advancement.

PCHS Trainer Marikina Polytechnic College Lesson 7

Danilo S. Ibarrola Personal Computer Hardware Servicing
 Computer System Case

Other form factors that have been or are in use for system cases:
1. PC XT
2. AT
3. LPX
4. Micro ATX and Flex ATX
5. WTX

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Danilo S. Ibarrola Personal Computer Hardware Servicing